ISLAMABAD (GNP): A large ceremony in the capital celebrated the 35th anniversary of Tajikistan’s independence, drawing attention to the friendship, mutual respect and cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan. Participants renewed their pledge to strengthen bilateral relations and widen economic and cultural links.
Tajik Ambassador Yusuf Sharifzoda hosted the National Day reception and welcomed attendees. Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal was chief guest. The Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Tourism, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, and Senator Talah Mahmood attended as guests of honour. Diplomats, government officials, business leaders and members of civil society from both countries were present, and many voiced hope that the partnership would grow closer still.
Ambassador Sharifzoda stressed that relations between the two states rest on shared history, culture and interests, and the sides recommitted to deeper cooperation in trade, tourism, energy and regional connectivity. Guests also discussed Tajikistan’s achievements since independence and the importance of national unity.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, government and people of Pakistan, Iqbal congratulated President Emomali Rahmon, the Tajik government and the Tajik people. He thanked the ambassador for his hospitality and his work to strengthen ties.
Independence, he said, is a nation’s right to decide its own future, and the day was an occasion to honour the Tajik people’s resilience, their nation-building achievements and their hopes for peace and prosperity.
He noted that the friendship is far older than formal diplomacy. For centuries, Central and South Asia formed a linked world in which merchants, scholars and spiritual teachers travelled through mountains and valleys and left their mark on languages, literature, architecture and culture.
A shared Persian heritage forms a particularly strong bond, he said, and Tajikistan’s cultural legacy is held in high esteem in Pakistan.
To address the Tajikistan Independence Day ceremony, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal On the 35th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Tajikistan, I extend, on behalf of the Prime Minister, Government, and people of Pakistan, our warmest congratulations to His Excellency President Emomali Rahmon, the Government of Tajikistan, and our Tajik brothers and sisters.
Ambassador Sharif Rada, thank you for your gracious hospitality and dedicated efforts to strengthen the friendship between our two countries.
Independence represents a nation’s right to shape its own destiny. Today, we honor the resilience of the Tajik people, their achievements in nation-building, and their aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous future.
Pakistan wishes Tajikistan continued peace, progress, and prosperity. Our friendship is rooted in a history much older than our diplomatic relations. For centuries, Central and South Asia formed a connected world where traders, scholars, and spiritual teachers crossed mountains and valleys, leaving lasting impressions on our languages, literature, architecture, and culture.
A powerful display of music, dance and cultural heritage brought Pakistan and Tajikistan closer in Islamabad, as Tajik artists won the hearts of Pakistani audiences with an evening celebrating friendship, shared values and growing people-to-people ties between the two countries.
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The ceremony closed with prayers for Tajikistan’s continued progress and prosperity and for stronger fraternal ties between the two countries.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
